Dr. Kim highly recommends this product: “It’s very liquid-y and comes in a shaker. It dispenses really easily and it blends in pretty well—plus a small amount shields the whole face.” It’s also tinted, which should help prevent a stark white cast.

There are two types of sunscreen: mineral and chemical. What makes them different from each other comes down to how they protect the skin from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. “The key difference involves the active ingredient that’s actually screening the sun,” board-certified dermatologist Jerome Potozkin, MD, founder of PotozkinMD Skincare & Laser Center in California, tells SELF. “Mineral sunscreens typically have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide [or both]. With the mineral SPF, the sunscreen actually sits on the skin’s surface and reflects the light hitting the skin.” That’s why you’ll sometimes hear mineral sunscreens referred to as “physical” sunscreens—they form a physical barrier between the skin and the UV rays. Per the tinted part, this option comes in four shades: light, medium, medium/deep, and deep. This is a huge pro, as many tinted sunscreens—including my daily go-to that I’ve used for years—only come in one shade that claims to be “universal,” yet often isn’t. (More importantly, there aren’t a ton of tinted sunscreens to be found at the drugstore in general.) I received both the light and medium; my skin is fair with a lot of warm and yellow undertones, and I found the medium to be an almost perfect match. While I can’t say with complete confidence these four shades work on everyone, the two I tried did seem to be versatile (I could’ve gotten away with the light had I wanted to) so I do think the range is fairly inclusive. Again, the best mineral sunscreen is the one that you’re actually going to use (and reapply, ideally every two hours!). “There’s nothing that damages the skin as much as the sun,” Dr. Kim says. Sure, your SPF can stave off premature aging and dark spots, but let’s not forget the main reason why we need and love it: It is one of the best tools we have to prevent skin cancer. The best mineral sunscreens Each lightweight, flexible shade contains 100% mineral actives and antioxidant vitamin E to nourish skin. The best part? It leaves no white cast behind – just a soft, smooth finish you’ll love to wear daily. Interestingly, CeraVe SPF 50 Face performed slightly better than CeraVe SPF 50 sunscreen in this particular trial. Also, Blue Lizard beat out both CeraVe products even though it’s SPF 30+ as opposed to SPF 50. Remember, SPF only measures a product’s protection against UVB rays, not UVA rays.Mineral and chemical sunscreens each have pros and cons, depending on your skin type and tone, but remember the general rule of thumb: Applying any sunscreen to protect your skin is better than using no sunscreen at all. What should you look for when shopping for mineral sunscreen? If you’re looking for a spray mineral sunscreen to protect your body from the sun’s rays, this is our top recommendation. Addor FAS. Antioxidants in dermatology. An Bras Dermatol. 2017;92(3):356-362. doi: 10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175697

When it comes to sunscreen, the absolute most important thing is that you’re using one. It’s imperative that you find a sunscreen you like, you’re actually going to use, and that’s proven effective. But how do you do that? Well, for starters, decide between a mineral or a chemical sunscreen. Because of the significant white cast, I’ve been using this sunscreen when I go running, since it doesn’t look as weird to have a ghostly complexion when you’re just exercising. It’s also sweat/water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Tinted mineral sunscreen for face with broad spectrum SPF 30 blends into skin to help protect against UV damage and

Dear Emily, they’re the same formula except Aveeno brand always add oat flour into the formula, I would just choose the one with lower price, usually the Neutrogena is slightly lower.

The Neutrogena Purescreen+ Mineral UV Tint Face Liquid Sunscreen is a cosmetically elegant mineral sunscreen that’s an especially great option if you have sensitive skin. While it isn’t super hydrating, it is very lightweight and layers beautifully under makeup. I found it to be an excellent, all-around daily sunscreen (or a good option for beach or pool days, given its water-resistance) at an impressive and very wallet-friendly price point. Why Trust Byrdie Gehring W. Nicotinic acid/niacinamide and the skin. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2004;3(2):88-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1473-2130.2004.00115.x With this advice in mind, we tried it ourselves and can honestly say that the clear zinc oxide protects skin even through the most grueling workouts or hikes, so you can be sure it will do the job even if you’re just out for a walk. Plus, it’s water-resistant for up to 80 minutes and provides broad-spectrum coverage against UVA and UVB rays.Inactive ingredients: water, c12-15 alkyl benzoate, styrene/acrylates copolymer, octyldodecyl citrate crosspolymer, phenyl trimethicone, cetyl peg/ppg- 10⁄ 1 dimethicone, dimethicone, polyhydroxystearic acid, glycerin, ethyl methicone, silica, cetyl dimethicone, triethoxycaprylylsilane, phenoxyethanol, glyceryl behenate, sodium chloride, acrylates/dimethicone copolymer, chlorphenesin, phenethyl alcohol, avena sativa (oat) kernel flour, caprylyl glycol, cetyl dimethicone/bis-vinyldimethicone crosspolymer, chrysanthemum parthenium (feverfew) flower/leaf/stem juice If you’d like to cut down on products used each morning, this might be the product for you. It combines three steps—a serum, an SPF, and a foundation–at once. So, you already applied your morning SPF, but now it’s midday and you’ve been out and about. Pull out this powder for easy reapplication—without messing up any makeup you might be wearing. “This translucent powder brush offers broad-spectrum SPF 50+ protection, and I find it very handy when I’m outside longer than I expected or end up in the window seat on planes,” says Dr. Lee. “It also serves as a blotting or finishing powder on humid days or after a sweaty sprint between meetings.” It comes in four different shades that blend into a wide range of skin tones, so it’s likely you’ll find a decent match. Just keep in mind that it’s a powder, so it can cling to dry patches. Be sure to layer on a good moisturizer before application if you have especially dry skin. Editor’s Note: We reviewed this article on September 20, 2023. As per our editorial policy, we are constantly updating our content, to make sure it reflects the best of the best when it comes to beauty, wellness, and fashion. We want to assure our readers that we still stand by our recommendations, which we do.

to easily layer under makeup and each shade has neutral undertones that blend smoothly to complement your natural skin Chlorphenesin and chlorphenes are basically the same as well—both are preservatives. This means that these two sunscreens are even more similar than they appear. Main similarities Below, I’ve summarized the main similarities and differences in these two products’ ingredient lists. Ingredients in both products: For face sunscreens specifically, ingredients like soothing niacinamide or hydrating hyaluronic acid are nice, but they’re not imperative—especially if you already apply a serum and face moisturizer in the morning. If you have rosacea, eczema, or another chronic skin condition, Dr. Kim encourages using mineral SPF formulas instead of chemical ones, as they tend to be less irritating for people with sensitive complexions. (These folks should also consider avoiding products that contain dyes, parabens, and fragrances.)Turn to this multi-use formula if you’re looking for a product that can prime and protect your skin all in one shot. You’ll also really like this one if you want something to add a subtle glow to your skin. Interestingly, both of these sunscreens contain some sort of oat-based product, perhaps because they’re both marketed for sensitive skin. Colloidal oatmeal is commonly used in eczema products because it is known to soothe itchy, inflamed skin.